Fixture bridge



March 14, 1933. .1. B. GLowAcKl FIXTURE BRIDGE Filed Feb. 24, 1931 4 SheelS-SheefI l ./NSULA T/ON VEN DE lfdfz G/ozaac.

March 14, 1933- J. B. GLowAKl 1,901,235

FIXTURE BRIDGE Filed Feb. 24, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i? g w www J. E. GLOWACKI March 14, 1933.

FIXTURE BRIDGE Filed Feb. 24, 193]. 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 El g.- Z l 4@ 39 6V@ 4Z 41 57 I mwlllyy///V/za W//M'lIl-"lllledwwm u m1- 4 49 ai March 14, 1933. L B GLQWACKl 1,901,235

FIXTURE BRIDGE Filed Feb. 24, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 `Zlgmjz Patented Mar. 14, 1933 Urrea sraras4 JOIIN iz. GLOWAGKI, on CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FIXTURE YBarner:v

Appiication, mea February 24, 193i. lsemi No. 517,672.

This invention relates to a xture and canopy supporting bridge of either the insulation or non-insulation type constructed to be used with or without extension canopy supporting blades, and adaptable to fit standard outlet boxes of dilieient sizes thereby not' only providing aV universal type of bridge obviating the necessity of carrying bridges O dierent sizes for different sized outlet boxes but also adaptable for supporting canopies and lamp sockets of dierent sizes. n p

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved type of ixturebridge having openings provided therein whereby the bridge may be readily adapted to be fitted to standard outlet boxes of dii'erent sizes. n

It is also an object of this invention to pro'- vide an improved type of fixture bridge constructed to permit the same to be removably engaged on standard outlet boxes ot" dillerent sizes, and furthermore adapted to i be provided with adjustable extensions for the supporting of canopies of ditlerent diameters.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fixture bridge of the straight or U-shaped type having apertured arms to perlinit the bridge to be'attached to standard outlet boxes of different sizes, saidl arms' arranged for the reception of adjustable 'extension members whereby canopies of different diameters may be conveniently supported from the bridge.

Still another object of the invention is to provi-de a ixture bridge having extension plate members adapted to be adjusted for supporting canopies of diierentydiameters with said plate members adapted to be heldY in adjusted position by means of the outlet box screws on which the fixture bridge is adapted to be supported.

Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a. universal type of lixture bridge constructed to Vpermit the same to be used on standard outlet boxes of different sizes and furthermore, provided with suitable openings for the mounting ot fixture and canopy Asupporting stems and for the mounting of light sockets of different types or styles.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified type ofuni- 'versal lfixturebridge of the insulation or noninsulation type adaptable to standard outlet boxes of dierent sizes, and arranged to sup-y poit ixtures andv canopiesion a stem unit adjustably associated with the bridge withv said bridge means constructed for the adjustable reception of extension members, whereby canopies of different diameters may be conveniently supported in position when ixturesupportingstems are not used.

It is. an important object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified forni. of fixturesupporting bridge having arms forming a part thereof which are provided 'I with; suitable apertures or openings permitting the bridge to be engaged on standard n outlet boxes of diilerent sizes, with saidV arms also being provided with suitable guards for Athe reception ofextension plates permitting the bridge to ,serve as a means for the supporting of canopies of diderent sizes directly on the extension plates instead of .being'supportedon canopy-supporting means provided on ifixture supporting stems which at times are used in connection with the bridge.

.Other and further important objects of y this invention will be apparent from the disclosures inthe specification and the accompanying drawings. Y

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described. y i

On the drawings:

Figure l illustrates a vertical sectional view through anV outlet box anda canopy, with said outlet box having supported thereon a fixture supporting bridge embodying the principles of this invention and having associated therewith an adjustable stem, equippedy 9a with a. fixture and canopy supporting unit.

Figure 2 illustrates a bottoni plan view of the bridge and outlet box with the iixture and canopy supporting mechanisms omitted.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of 95 the bridge ktaken on line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure t is a longitudinal sectional view ofV the fixture bridge provided with an insulated type of'stem supporting collar or bushing.

. Figure 5 is a transverse sectional View of 1 from which the insulated bushing is omitted.

Figure 'l' is an'cnlarged fragmentary. bottom plan view ofthe bridge and the extension plates taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an end elevational View of the fixture bridge equipped with extension plates.

Figure 9 is a plan view of one of the'extension plates removed from the bridge. y

Figure 10 is a. vertical sectional view of a deep or small vsized standardv .outletA boxA equipped with a straight type of fixture bridge illustrated in section.

Figure '1l illustrates a bottom plan view oil the straight type of fixture bridgel illustrated in Figure l0. Figure 12 is an end view of the straight type of fixture bridge. l

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional View of a straight type of fixture bridge of the kind illustrated in Figure 11 equipped with an insulated bushing. Y

Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the straight-type of fixture bridge equipped with canopy supporting'extension blades of the type illustrated in F iguref 9. Y

Figure 15 illustrates a vertical sectional view of a. shallow standard outlet box and a canopy with said outlet box equipped with a U-shaped fixture bridge similar to the type illustrated in Figure 1 to 5, but provided with a threaded opening forthe reception of a supporting screw stem carrying a lixture, and

canopy supporting unit partly illustrated inv section.

vkFigure 16 is a longitudinal section of a straight type of iixture bridge provided with a threaded opening for the reception of a threaded stem attached to the bridge with lock nuts.

Figure 17 is a side elevation of a U-shapud type of iixture bridge partlyy shown in section and having supported thereon a lamp socket to illustrate the purpose of the plain openings in the bottom or center plate of the U-section of the bridge.

Figure 1S is a sid'eelevation of a straight type of iixture bridge partly shown in section, and having supported thereon a lamp socket attachable by means of screws engaged in threaded openings provided in the middle portion or" the fixture bridge.

Figure 19 illustrates a bottom plan view of a modii'ied form of lixture bridge illustrating in full lines a small standard' outlet box and illustrating in dotted lines a large standard outlet box to either one of which the lixture bridge may be removably attached by means of thefoutlet box screws.

As shown on the drawingsf ln the form ot the device as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the reference numeral 1 indicates a shallow large sized standard outlet box adapted to be embedded in a ceiling or wall and having formed therein near the open end'thereot a pair of diametricallv opposite lugs or lingers 2 provided with threaded openings for the reception of supporting screws 8. Removably attached to the bottom of the outlet box 1 by means of the outlet box screws 3 is an improved lixture supporting bridge. The ceiling or wall is represented by the reference numeral 4. The supporting bridge comprises a pair of end plates or arms 5 'which are integrally formed on opposite sides of a middle or intermediate U-shaped section or socket comprising side walls 6 connected at their lower ends by a bottom wall 7. The arms or wing plates 5 project at substantially right anglesto the side walls Got the intermediate bshaped section of the bridge vand each of said arms or plates 5 is provided with a vstraight y longitudinal slot 7a which opens at its outer end through the end edge ot' the arm. @ne of the arms 5 is provided with an opening 8 which is an enlargement of the slot 7a of said arm. The supporting bridge is provided with the longitudinally positioned slots 7a for the purpose. of permitting the bridge to be readily adapte ed to tit standard outlet boxes or dilierent diameters or sizes, without necessitating the removal of the outlet box screws. To mount the supporting bridge upon the screws 3 of a standard outlet box of the shallow four-inch diameter size, it is only necessary to engage the open end of either of the slots 7a around one of the screws 3 and then slide the bridge to one side to permit the opposite end of the other bridge slot to be slidably engaged over the shank portion of the opposite supporting screw 3. Attention is called to the fact that when desired the enlarged portion 8 of one of the slots 7a may be engaged over the head of one of the supporting screws 3 after which the supporting bridge may be moved diametrically with respect to the outlet box to permit the open end oi' the slot 7a of the opposite arm to pass around the shank portion of the opposite supporting screw. purpose of mounting the supporting bridge on a large standard size our-inch diameter outlet box, it will be noted that the bridge may be mounted without the use of the enlarged opening 8 provided in one of the slots Ya or the enlarged opening 8 may be used in mounting the bridge as hereinbefore briefly described. rlhe enlarged opening 8 formed in one of the slots 7a is primarily provided for the purpose voi permitting a standard or universal sized supporting bridge to be conveniently mounted on a small standard sized. outlet box ot' {MAL-inch diameter similar to the arrangement illustrated in Figure 10 of For the ica the drawings. To mount the supporting bridge on tlie screws 8 of asmail standard sized outlet boi; the open end of the slot 7a without lthe enlargemen' is engaged around the shank portion of one ot the screws 3 and tlie arm containing the slot 7a provided with;

the enlargement 8 is tlien slidably moved with respect to the screw on the opposite side of the outlet boi: until 'the second screw head is positioned to project threughthe enlarged portion 8 so that the narrow portion of the slot may be slidably engagedover the shank of the second screw. After the bridge arms have been engaged on the screws 8, as described, the screws are tightened to hold'the supporting bridge clamped in a'proper position supported underneath the outlet boi; 1. it will thus be noted that the improved supporting bridge liastlie arms therefor" apertured or slotted to permit the bridge to be remorably and conveniently engaged on the supporting screws of standardl outlet boxes of different sizes or diameters within the length or" the supporting bridge.

En cases where the outlet ores are not provided with 'tbe cover or bridge supporting screws 8, or in sucli cases where no outlet bones are provided, the improved supporting bridge may be connected directly to a or wall to the outside or" the outlet or tbe op ning tlnough which the power esV lead by means of screws or bolts adaptto be projected `tl"-read-Led openings or diagonally op-v 'ions of the arms of the bridge, as cleariliustrated in Figure 2.

@is cleariy illustr ted in Figures 1 and2, the side marg the bridge arms are dei'iected bent over to provide reinforcing or guide flanges 11.

' Figure 3, the side arms 6 a pa or tne middle U-shaped porlon ont the bridge are provided with elonune plates 6. rllhe side plates 6 are also pro- Tided witli threaded openings 13 which are ocated the center lines of the plates 6 beow the opening 12. The openings 12 pro- ;fided in the walls 6 of the il-portion of. the

if r tbe purpose of permitting a ion across the U-shaped portion when a bridge 1s used for the ze of supper ing a. drop cord similar to j mi.I` copeneing application for patent, Serial bridge.

through diagonally 'ope piani openings nr vided in the enc-1V the side plates lThe bottom plate 7 of the U-portion of the bridge is provided with an opening 14:.

Engaged in the bottom plate 7 of the bridge is a stem supporting insulated unit comprising an internally threaded bushing 15 having a radial threaded aperture thereinforthe reception ofa set screw or lock screw 16. The lower end ofthe bushing 15 is of reduced diameter and projects through the openings 14 in the bottom plate 7 and forms a shoulder 17 against which an insulationwasher 18 isfadapted to seat. The-washer 18 isfen-v gaged around the reducedv yportion of the bushing andis adapted to seat against the inner surface of the bottom plate 7 of the Engaged around the reduced portion oi' the bushing 15 adjacent the washer 18 is an insulation ring or washer 19 of a thickness equal to the thickness of the bottom'plate 7. Also engaged around the reduced portion of the bushing 15 beneath the plate 7 and contacting ythe intermediate washer 19 is an outer insulation ring or washer 20 which isv held in place by a` metal retaining Washer 21. The outer end of the reduced portion of the bushing 15 is deected or swaged outwardi ly against the outer surfaceof the retaining metal ring or washer 21, thereby causing the insulation members to be tightly clamped in position, insulating theI bushing Y from the bridge. c

djustably threaded through the bushing V15 is an eXternally threaded passaged stem 22 which isradapted to be adjusted with respect to the bridge and may be heldin a locked position of adjustment by means ofthe set screw 16. Removably supported on the lower end of the threaded stem 22 is a canopy and lixture supporting .unit comprising a split fixture supporting loop 23, an internally and externally threaded coupler 24 and a canopy supporting beaded ring 25 constructed ofY insulation or other suitablematerial. Connected tothe split loop23 is a link of a liz:- ture supporting chain 26. A canopy 27 is adapted to be supported to enclose the bridge andstem with the upper end of the canopy held seated against the ceiling 4c by means of the canopy supporting ring 25-which is threaded on the coupler 24 which in turn is engagedaround the split head of the loop 23 to holdfthe split loopV against accidental removal from the supporting stem 22.

As clearly illustrated in Figure 2 the bottom plate 7 forming part of the intermdiate section of the bridge is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite plain openings 28a and a pair of diametrically opposite threaded openings 29a. VThe purpose oi the openings 28a and 29a will hereinafter be more fully described in connection with the description of Figures 17 and 18 of the drawings.

Figures 6 to 9 inclusive illustrate a modi.-

fied form of the fixture bridge of substan- V tially the same construction as that described fro in connection with Figures 1 to 5 inclusive with the exception that the. insulated bushing is omitted and a plain U-shaped bridge is supported on an outlet boX 1v by means of the screws 3 for the purpose ofsupporting a large socket carrying canopy 28. In electrical installations it is sometimes necessary vided with an internally threaded center opening 32 and with a pair of plain apertures or openings 33 on opposite sides of the threaded opening 32. The extension blades 29 are adapted to be secured in a setk position of adjustment with respect to the arms of the bridge by meansof the screws 3 with which the bridge is connected to the outlet boX. The canopy 28 which is of the large s-ize is equipped with a lamp receiving socket 34, the terminal Wires of which are adapted to project upwardly through the opening 14 of the middle section' of the bridge to be connected up with the terminal wires in the outlet box 1. The canopy is provided with openings through which supporting screws 35 project; The upper or inner ends of the supporting screws 35 are adapted to be threaded through the threaded apertures 32 provided in the ends of the extension blades 29. It will thus be noted that the canopiesof different diameters may be readily mounted in position with the upper end of the canopy properly seated against the ceiling or wall 4 as clearly illustrated in Figure 6.

Figures 10 to l2 inclusive illustrate a modified or straight type of fixture bridge which is shown in Figure 10 as being supported on a small size or deep standard outlet'box o6 of the standard 3% inch diameter size. VThe outlet box 36 is provided with inwardly directed fingers or lugs 37 having threaded openings in which supporting screws 38 are adjustably engaged. The modified straight type of xture bridge comprises a straight body plate 39 having a longitudinally positioned center slot 40 provided in one end thereof and a slot 4l in the opposite end. The slot 41 is provided with an enlarged opening at 42 to facilitate mounting of the bridge Aon the screws 38 of the small size standard outlet boX 36. To mount the straight type of bridge on the small standard size outlet box the end of the slot 40 is engaged around the shank portion of one ofthe supporting screws 38'with the opposite end of the bridge positioned beneath the opposite screw after which adjustably positioned with respect to the outlet box. After the bridge has been mounted as illustrated in Figure 10 the screws 38 may be tightened to rigidly hold the straight bridge in a set position of adjustment. The

straight bridge is provided with a middle opening 14, `a pairjof diagonally opposite plain openings 28 and a pair of diagonally opposite threaded openings 29 grouped around the middle opening 14. rlhe straight bridge is also provided with a pair of diagonally opposite threaded apertures 9 and with a pair of diagonally opposite plain openings 10 arranged near the end of the bridge similar to the arrangement of the apertures in the bridge disclosed in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings. Also provided in the middle portion of the straight bridge 39 isa pair of diagonally opposite openings 43. The apertures 43 are provided for the purpose of'attaching a large sized electric light socket to the straight bridge 39. The longitudinal or side margins Vof the straight bridge plate 39 are deflected or bent over to provide reinforcing or guide fianges 44. The construction of the straight bridge having the various slots and openings therein permits the straight bridge to be readily secured to standard outlet boxes of different sizes.

Figure 13 illustrates a modified form of the straight type of fixture bridge in which the straight bridge is constructed substantially the same as that illustrated in Figure 11 having mounted through the middle opening 14 thereof an insulated bushing 45 which is internally threaded for the reception of an adjustable supporting screw stem. The stem receiving bushing 45 is insulated from the straight bridge plate 39 by a plurality of 'adjacently positioned insulation washers 18,

19 and 2O similar to the insulating members illustrated in Figures and l5. Positioned to the outside of the insulation washer 20 is a metal retaining ring 21 which is held in positionA by means of the swaged or outwardly Vdeflected end of the bushing 45. The straight t 1 e of sup ortinT bridffe carr ino the in- 1 l) 2H C3 iso Figure 14: illustrates a modied form :of supporting bridge which isa combination of the straight bridge illustrated in Figure 11 and a pair oit extension plates ofthe type illustrated in Figure 9. rl`he various partso'f the extensible straight bridge unit are `designated hi. the reference numerals used inthe description of the straight bridge illustrated in Figure 11 and the extension plate shown in Figure 9.

Figure illustrates fragmentary sectional view similar to that illustrated in :Figure 1 and disclosing a modified form of bridge constructed substantiallyv the same as that illustrated inY Figure Q'wif'itli the exceptionthat the bottom plate 7 ot the U-portion of the bridge is provided with a threaded opening in place of the opening 14 for the adjustable reception oi aiixture and canopy supporting screw stein 46. The stem 46 is adapted to be threaded into the threaded opening provided in the middle portion of the bridge and after the stem is properly adjusted itis adapted to be locked in its setl positionofadjustment by meansot yset screws i7 which are threaded through the openings .lprovided inthe side plates 6 of the U-portion of the bridge similar to the showing in Figure d .of the draw ings. Removebly engaged on the lower end ofthe stem i6 is a canopy and fixture supporting unit embracing a` split fixture supporting loop 23, a c upler 9A and a--canopy Y supporting ring ot substantially the same construction as that illustrated anddcscribed connection with Figure 1 of thedrawings; in the present showing of ythe canopy supporting ring 25 said ring is vadapted to fbe constructed of metal instead oi' insulation material and is adapted to support the canopy 27 in position with the Vupper end of the canopy seated against the ceiling or wall i to enclose the bridge and stem. Figure 15 thus illustrates a non-insulation typev of `U- shaped iixture and canopy supporting bridge engaged on the stem on opposite sides of the straight plate 39.

Figure 17 illustrates a U-shaped fixture bridge of the type illustrated and described in connection with Figure 2 of the drawings with the intermediate or U-shaped section of the bridge having secured thereto an electric light socket 51. The socket 51 is provided with an upper end plate 52 having threaded openings therein for' the thread reception of supporting screws 53 which project downwardly through the plainopening 28a of the base plate 7 of the bridge. Figure 17 thus yillustrates an adaptation of the bridge vfor the ysupport of an electricbulb socket and illustrates the purpose for providing the plain opening 28a in the bottom plate 7 of the middle section of the bridge. l

Figure 18 illustrates a straight type of bridge or" the type illustrated in Figure 11 having supported thereon an electric bulb socket 5a. The electric socket 54: is provided with an upper end plate 55 having .plain openings therein through which supporting screws 56 are adapted to project to permit the screws to be threaded through the threaded openings 29a provided inthe middle vportion ot the straight bridge plate 39 `or in the middle U-shaped portion of the bottom plate 7 of a U-shaped bridge of the type` 'diiierent radial distances from the center of the bridge plate. It will also be noted that the key slots of eachset have the-narrow or reduced ends thereof pointed in opposite directions. l l slots areprovided to'permit the xture bridge to beremovably secured by means of outlet box Vscrews 62 to either a standard small sized deep outlet box 63 of the 31/4 inch standard ldiameter size or to a large shallow type of standard outlet box 64 as illustrated in dotted lines. The bridge plate 57 is provided with a middle pair of diagonally opposite threaded openings 65 and a pair of diagonally opposite plain openings 66. The openings65 and 66 are provided for the purpose of .permittingsockets to be secured to the bridge platefsiinilar to the arrangement illustrated in, Figures 17 and 18 of the drawings.

The bridge plate 57 is also provided with .a lpairof diagonally opposite plain openings 67 provided for the purpose of permitting a large sized lamp socket to be attached to the bridge plate. Also provided in the bridgeV plate l57 isa pair oit elongated slots or-openings 68 affording an arrangement whereby electric light sockets of dii'erent diameters may be readily Vmounted in position attached to the bridge plate. The bridge plate 57 is also provided with a pair of diagonally opposite threaded end openings; 69 which are The plurality of pairs of key'` icok llO

provided for the purpose of permitting the bridge plate 57 to be secured by means of screws or the like directly to a ceiling or wall in case the outlet boxes are not provided with outlet box cover supporting screws or in such cases where no outlet boxes are installed and the power wires project through a conduit or an opening in the ceiling or wall.

It will, of course, be understood that, if desired, al modified form of fixture bridge of the U-shaped construction illustrated in Figure 17 may be provided having all of the various apertures and openings illustrated and described in connection with the straight bridge plate 57. i

Attention is called to the fact that the present invention covers an improved fixture bridge of either the straight or the U-shaped form provided with slots or openings permitting the bridge to be removably secured to standard outlet boxes of different sizes. The improved bridge also includes when necessary apertured or slotted extension plates adapted to be associated with the ends of the bridge and further adapted to be secured in adjusted position by means of the outletjbox cover screws which are used for the purpose of removably supporting the bridge in place on an outlet box. It is intended to provide the bridge with the various threaded and plain openings as illustrated in Figures 2 and 1() or in the arrangement illustrated in the modified form illustrated in Figure 19, to afford a universal type bridge permitting various types of fixtures, brackets, sockets, or the like to be removably supported by the bridge on an outlet box or directly on a ceiling and wall. I/Vith the bridge provided with the middle opening, the Vbridge may be equipped with an insulated stem supporting bushing similar to the arrangement illustrated in Figures 4 and 13 or the middle openings may be used to permit the wires of a fixture or socket to be projected throughthe bridge when the bridge is used to support a socket in position similar to the arrangement illustrated in Figures 17 and 18. With the improved bridge providedwith the extension plates the bridge may be used for the purpose of readily mounting canopies of different diameters in position with the different sized canopies adapted to be secured by means of supporting screws to the exten.- sion blades of the bridge similar to the arrangement illustrated in Figure 6.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than is necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fixture supporting device comprisinga bridge member having slots therein to permit the bridge member to be removably attached to standard outlet boxes of dierent sizes by means of the outlet box cover supporting screws, guide flanges formed on said bridge member, and slotted extension blades slidably engaged between said guide flanges and adapted to be supported in position by means of the outlet box cover supporting screws.

2. A fixture supporting device comprising a flanged plate .having a vplurality of slots therein for removably securing the plate to standard outlet boxes of different sizes by means of the outlet boxcover supporting screws without requiring removal of said screws from the outlet box and slotted extension blades slidably engaged with said plate to be retained in adjusted position by means of the outlet box screws.

` 3. A fixture supporting device comprising a bridge member including slotted arms connected by an intermediate section having a plurality of plain and threaded openings therein to permit a plurality of different attachments to be conveniently secured to the bridge member, and extension members adjustably engaged with said slotted arms and having a plurality' of openings and slots therein with the slots of said extension members positioned to register with the slots in the arms of said bridge member.

4. A- fxture supporting device comprising a bridge consisting of abase plate having a plurality of openings therein, a pair of apertured parallel arms integrally formed on said base plate, and apertured slotted extensions formed on said arms for engaging the bridge member on the cover supporting screws of outlet boxes of different sizes.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

JOHN B. GLOWACKI. 

